X-ray table.



J. B. WANTZ.

X-RAY TABLE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB; 16, |914.

Patented Sept. 4, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET Z.

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X-RAY TABLE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. I6. 1914.

Patented Sept. 4, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

.X-Ray Table, of

JULI'US IB. WANTZ, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOI VICTOR ELECTRIC CORPORATION, YORK.

f X-RAY .Een

s, ASsIcNoE, Br MEsNE ASSIGNMENTS, To 0E CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A conroItATIoN 0E NEW TABLE.

Patented Sept@ 4l, 1919.

Application led February 16, 1914. Serial No. 818,926.

To aZZ- lwhom t may concern: j Be it known that I, JULIUs B. WANTZ, a citizen of the'United States, residing at Chicago, inthe county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful which the following 1s a specification.

y invention relates to X-ray tables for `use with X-ray apparatus, and more` particularly to combined means for changing y plates and supporting a patient during the ject being to lrapidly changing 'the plates and for sup-V taking of X-ray pictures; my primary ob-l `provide improved means for porting the patient in horizontal or inclined position, vas desired.

-Referring to the accompanymg draw.

i ings- IFigure 1 is a perspective view of a combined table and plate-changer constructed in accordance-"with my invention. Fig. 2 is a similarv view of the top portion of the 'table showing the underside thereof. Fig. 3 is an enlarged section taken at the line 3 on Fig. 2 and viewed in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 4 is an enlarged Section taken at the line 4, on Fig. 6 and viewed in the direction of 'the arrow. Fig, 5 is a .view in elevation, partly sectional, of a portion of the meansv for holding the table-top in adjusted position. Fig. 6 is a bottom plan View of the carriage which travels in the table-top, a portion of the table-top -proper and :certain parts connected therewith also being shown. Fig. 7 is a section taken at the line 7 on Fig. 6 and viewed in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 8 is an enlarged section taken at the.line 8 on Fig. 6 and viewed in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 9 is a section takenv at the line 9 on Fig. 6 and viewedin the direction of the arrow. Fig.jl0 is a plan view ofthe plate-supporting Slide employed. Fig. 11 is an edge view of the slide of Fig., 10. Fig. 12 is a perspective view of another form of plate-holding device which may be used in connection with the table under certain conditions; and Fig. 13 1s a l section showing, in elevation, a convertible i "rest and seat employed in connection with i' 50 and lower bars 16 and 17, respectively, two

parallel side members 18 connected with the end-frames'and a single lower bar 19 likewise connected with these frames. The top of the table, represented at 20, is formed of .channeled side-members 21 connected together by end-pieces 22 and by cross-braces 23 and 24, and plate sections 25 and 26 toward its opposite ends, of material preferably opaque to X-rays, leaving a space between, which is covered over with a sheet 27 of material transparent to X-rays, the structure thus illustrated constituting in eect a vtunnel having a window-section 27 through which the exposures are made, as hereinafter more fully referred to. The table-top, or tunnel structure just described, is provided near,one end and at opposite sides with U- Shaped clips 28 which fit over the forward one of the rods 16, with pins 29 connecting the ends of the loops together to form socket-members at which the table-top is fulcrumed onlthe rod! 16, the opposite end of the table-top being provided with depending lugs 30 having recessed heads 31 adapted to rest upon the fbars 18 at opposite sides of the 'frame when the table-top is in its lowermost position. Located in the channel-irons 2l, preferably closely adjacent to the upper flanges thereof, are` bars 32 which form guides for a carriage slidably mounted in the tunnel, or table-top, and engaging the rods 325 at rollers 33 thereon,the carriage being formed of side members 34 provided with inwardly-opening channels 35, and cross-pieces 36, 37 and 38 connecting these side members together, the carriage `being adapted to receive the plate-holding slide, represented at 39, which is preferably formed of two similar sections 40 and'. 4.1. hingedly connected together, as indicated at 42, and adapted to i enter the channels 35, thus telescoping with the carriage, the slide 39 when completely telescoped with the carriage serving to register'theforward photographic plate secured thereon, as hereinafter described, with the window-section 27.

he carriage is adapted Vto `be projected to the left in Fig. 1 from the position in which the forward plate on the slide 39 registers withthe window-section 27, to a position in which the'rear plate on the -slide 39 registers with this section for thus effecting the-changing of the plates. The means for thus operating the slide 39 comprise a .spring-13 secured at one end to the cross-piece 23 and `at its opposite endl to a cross-piece 37 on the carriage, this spring being placed under tension when the operator, by grasping a handle 45 on the carriage, slides the latter to the right in Fig. 1

for causing the forward plate on the slide coiled spring 50 in the casing 46, into the path of movement of a lug 51 on the side of the carriage. It will thus be understood that when the plunger 49 is withdrawn from engagement with the lug 51, as by pulling on a cord 52 secured to the inner end of the ferred to means comprises a sleeve 67 se.

plunger, the spring 43 will rapidly shift the carriage to the left in Fig. 1. Y It is desirable that each rail 47 contains an opening 46a and each channel-member 21 contain an opening 21a to permit the locking means described to be transferred from one side of the table to the other thereof at will, as conditions require.

Coperating with the carriage are means for limiting its movement to the left in Fig. 1 for positioning, relative to the section 27, the rear plate carried Von the slide 39, and cushioning it to prevent jar, these means comprising a cylinder 63 secured to the table-top, a piston 64 slidable in the cylinder 63 and carrying a stem 65 which is connected with said carriage, as indicated at 66, and means for controlling the eX- haust of air in the cylinder 63 in the movement of the carriage to the left in Fig. 1. The preferred construction of the last-recured to one end of the cylinder 63, and carrying a boss 68 which opens into the interior of the cylinder 63 through an opening 69. Surrounding this boss is a sleeve 70 which is slidable thereon and closed at one end, excepting preferably for a small opening 71. The boss 68 and sleeve 70 also contain openings 72 and 73 adapted normally toregister with each other. The sleeve 70 also-contains an elongated slot 74 through which av post 75, secured in the boss 68, eX-

tends (Fig. 7), this post coperating with an adjustable pin 76 screwed into a lug 77 carried by a ring 78 surrounding and rigid With the sleeve 70. A coiled spring 79 sur rounds the sleeve 70 and is confined between the collar 7 8 and the sleeve 67, this spring tending to force the Sleeve 70 to the left in Fig. 7 and restrained by the engagement of the pin 76 with the post 7 5. It will be manifest that by adjusting the pin 7 6, the size spring 43 may be varied, as desired.- In theA construct-ion illustrated, an auxiliary opening, represented at 80, and provided with an adjustable valve 80a, is provided for the cylinder 63, and an inlet check-valve 81 is provided in the closed end of the cylinder 63. The carriage is brought to'v a stop by the seating of a coiled spring 65a against the inner end of the cylinder 63.

As hereinbefore stated, the table-top is adapted yto be tilted upwardly at its rear end by swinging it on the forward bar 16 as a fulcrum, and as means for releasably securing the table-top in the d-iderent inclined positions to which it may be adjusted, I

rovide the following described means:

ivotally connected at their upper ends, as indicated at 82, to the cross brace 23 are bars 83 pivotally connected at their lower ends, as indicated at 84, to a sleeve-section 85 slidable lengthwise on the bar 19. The sleeve-section 85 has journaled therein between its ends, aslindicated at 86, a foot lever 87 provided at one end with a depending pin 88 which slides in an opening 89 in the upper side of the sleeve 85, and is adapted to enter any one ofthe openings 90 provided in the upper side of the bar 19. It will be readily understood that' when the table-top is to be moved to tilted position, the operator willpress down on the lever 87 to lift the pin 88 out ofthe opening9() which. thus permits the top to be swung up-y wardly, and when the desired position of adjustment has been eEected, projecting the pin 88 into the appropriate opening 90. lIn

the particular construction illustrated, a `spring 91 is located between the lever 87 fore described, of the cushioning means, for

performing their function when the carriage is moving in a horizontal plane, will not be correct when the table-top, with the carriage, is tilted, as hereinbefore explained, as the nearer these parts approach a vertical position, the greaterwill be the force of gravity acting on the carriage. I have, therefore, devised, as a part of myfimproved table, means which shall operate automatically to vary theoutlets for 4the cushioning means to compensate for the progressively above said rod increasing force of gravity as the table-top is adjusted to lpositions wherein it more closely approaches the vertical plane, a description of these means being as follows:

Secured to the forward bar 16 on which the table-top is fulc'rumedat the members the latter was exposed. It is, therefore, preferred that some guide means be provided on the sections 40 and 41 in order that the operator may quickly and accurately position the platesas desired. In Fig. 10, I have illustrated a desirable manner of so 28, is an arc-shaped plate 92 which extendguiding the operator, the means there shown v and is preferably secured thereto through the mediumv of a split collar-section 93. 4The plate 92 is so positioned as to coact with the outer end of the sleevesection 70 which is projected outwardly nd held in position against this plate by he spring 7 9, one end of this plate being deec'ted as represented at 92a, at which end the sleeve-section 70 bears. when the table- 'that it be provided' with top is horizontal,'thus causin the spring 79 to project the sleeve-section 70 to the position illustrated-.in Fig. 7, wherein the airdischarge openings are caused to assume maximum proportions and suitable for permitting the air to escape from the cylinder 63 at the right speed in the movement of the carriage to the left in Fig. 1. As'the tabletop is swung upwardlyon its fulcrumfthe plate 92 being stationary, the sleeve-section 70 is forced toy the right in Fig. 7 to a degree depending upon the position to which the table-top is swung, thereby throttling the air outlet passage for the cylinder 63, the degree of throttling depending upon the position to which the table-top is moved.

The plate-carryingslide may be of any desirable construction, but it is preferred means for holding the plates when merely inclosed in envelops or when inclosed in regular plate-holders which usually are comparatively thick. To

this end tI preferably provide theplate-sections\40 and 41 with longitudinally extending central-ized slots 93 through which setscrews 94, provided in bars-95, project, these .set-screws screwing into nuts 96ilocated on the underside of the sections 40 and 41, the bars 95 being provided on the upper side of the sections 40 and 41 and being provided at opposite edges with clips 97 and 97a, the clips 97 being preferably of springy matein place on the yslide 39, as

rial for holding a plate inclosed inan envelop, represented atX, in proper position as shown in the left-hand which are preferably' provided with rubber sheathing 9 8, so proportioned that they will firmly hold a plate-holder, represented at Y,

represented at the right-hand ends of Figs. 10 and 11, it being understood that thebars 95 may be adjusted along thev slots 93, relative to each other, to' accommodate plates or plate-holders of different sizes. 'j

In stereoscopic work it is necessary that the second plate te be exposed be moved into f a certain predetermined position relative to the position loccupied by the rst plate when nected, as indicated at 101,

` socket 113-in the head 111 tered quickly and accurately regardless of the positioning of the plate lengthwise of lthe slide 39 or crosswise thereof, as will be manifest from an examination of the drawing.

Another feature of my invention consists in the provision of a rest 100 -pivotally conto uprights 102 vertically adjustable in heads 103 slidably confined on'the rails 47 (Fig. 13), the uprights 102 being adapted cally adjusted position throughthe medium to be held in vertiof set-screws 104 carried by theheads and i bearing against these uprights. Theupper ends of the uprights 102 contain arc-shaped slots 105 in which set-screws 106, connected with the head-rest 100 at opposite ends thereof, extend, and by means of whichthe rest may be secured in adjusted position.

The provision of the heads 103, which are slidable on the rail 47, permit the rest 100 to be positioned at any point desired along the table-top. rlhe rest 100 may be used as a rest for either the head or feet of the patient, and, if desired, may be)S used as a seat for'the patient when the table-top is tilted to approximately upright position.

As. an adjunct to my improved structure,

which may or may not be used therewith as desired, I providea holder for a plate which is useful under certain conditions when it is desired that the plate extend either above or below thebody of the patient.- This plate-holder is formed of a housing 107 in which a slide 108 for a plate, the sideof the housing 107 shown uppermost in Fig. 12 and which is .lowermost in Fig. 1 being preferably formed of material transparent to X-light. 'Ihe housing `107 is provided with a cross-piece 109 provided with a lug 110 to which a recessed head 111 is adjustably connected as through the medium of a set-screw 112. Fitting into the is a rod 114, the inner end of which contains an annular recess' 115 into which a pin 116 in theV socket 113 extends, to provide a swivel-connectionbetween the head 111 and therod 114. 'Ihe other end of the rod 114 passes through a sleeve-member 117 containing a set-screw 118 adapted toseure the rod 114 in any position of adjustment in'said sleeve, this'sleeve being provided with^a tubular downwardlyextending portion 119, the socket 120 of which, receives an upright rod 121 vertically is mounted,`

adjustable in a head 122 and-held therein in Aadjusted position by means of a set-screw 123, the-head 122 being slidably confined on the guidevvay 47 and adapted to 'be heldin adjusted positionthereon through the medium of set-screws 124.

@It will be understood from the foregoing that the housing 107 may be adjusted in any ,desired position relative to the body of the patient either as regards elevation or inclination, the various adjusting .devices described permitting a Wide range of movement of the housing 107.

While I have illustrated and described a articular embodiment of my invention, I go not Wish to be understood as intending to limit it thereto, as the same maybe va riously modified and altered Without departing from the spirit of my invention, it bejao ing 'my desire to claim my invention as broadly and completely as'the prior state of moving said table-top to inclined position. 2. In apparatus of the character set forth,

the combination of a base, a table-top fulcrume'd thereon, means for holding said table-top in inclined position onsaid base, a plate-carrier movably mounted on said tabletop, means for lshifting said carrier, dashpot cushioning means for said carrier, and means operatm l air-outlet of automatically to vary the said dash-pot upon the act of moving said table-top to inclined position.

. 3. In apparatus of the character set forth,

the combination of, a base, a table-top fulcrumed thereon, means for holding said table-top in inclined position on saidbase, a plate-carrier movably mountedon said table-top, means for shifting said carrier, dash-pot cushioning means for said carrier including an air-outlet-varying device, andX .means on said base kcoperatlng With said l, 'device and operating `automatically to vary the air-outlet of said dash-pot upon the act of moving said table-top to inclined position. A

4; In apparatus of the characterset forth, the combination-of a base, a table-top fulcrumed thereon, means for holdings'aid table-top in inclined positionon said base,

-a lplate-carrier movably mounted on said table-top, means for shifting said carrier,

ldash-pot cushioning means for saidcarrier including relatively movable parts for vary- 4ing the air-outlet of the dash-pot, and a cam on said base cooperating With said airoutlet-varying means, for the ,purpose set forth. 5. In. apparatus of the character set forth, the combination of a base,'a movably-supported plate-carrier on said base, means for shifting said carrier on said'base, and a trigger device for releasably holding said carrier in a predetermined position and in opposition to said means, transferablefrom one side of said base to the other side thereof.

6. In apparatus of the character set fof rth, thecombination of a base, a movably-supported plate-carrier on said base, means for shifting said carrier on said base, stops provided at opposite sides of said carrier, and

`a trigger device adapted to releasably engage one of said stops for holding said carrler in av predetermined position and 1n opposition to sald means, said trigger device being transferable from one side ofr said base to the other side thereof to coperate with either of said stops.

7 In apparatus of the character set forth, Y

the combination of a base, a movably-'supported plate-carrier on said base provided With stops at its opposite sides, means for4 shifting `said carrier onsaid base, and a trigger devlce for releasably engaging said stops when said carrier is in a predetermined position and in opposition to saidmeans,'said trigger device'including a member forming a bearing adapted to be inserted into either one ofv the openings in said base adjacent to said stops, whereby the trigger device may be caused to coperate with either rone of said stops, for the purpose -set forth. v I

. 8. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination of a base, a ymovably-supported plate-carrier on said base provided With projections at its opposite sides, meansl for shifting said carrier. on said base, and

.a trigger device for cooperating With said stops to releasably hold said, carrier in a predetermined ,position. gand 1n opposition to said means, said trigger device being formed of a casing having a threaded end,

. a spring-controlled Splunger projecting through the threaded end of the casing and at.which the trigger device coperates with said stops, said base 'containing threaded openings at its opposite sides adjacent said stops to either one of. which said casing may be screwed,-.for the purpose set forth. 9. In apparatus of the character'set forth,

the combination'v of a base, a table-top ful-` crumed'thereon, means .for holding said table-top in inclined position on said base,

a platecarrier movably mounted on said dash-pot cushioning means for said carrier,

' means operating automatically to vary thetable-top, ,means for shiftinglsaid carrier,

air-outlet of said dash-pot upon the act of moving said table-top-.to inclined position, and an auxiliary air-outlet for said dashpot provided with a valve. n

10. A plate-holding device comprismg a plate adapted to have a plate applied thereto and reversible clips on said plate provided With plate-engaging members at their opposite edges, the said members at one edge of each clip device being offset to a greater degree than those at the opposite edge of each clip-device.

11. A plate-holding device comprising a plate adapted to have a plate applied thereto and clips pivotally supported on said `plate .and provided With plate-engaging members at their opposite edges, the said members at one edge of each clip device being offset to a greater degree than those at the opposite edge of eacy -clip' device, and means for securing said ,c ips in theirpositions of pivotal adjustment. j

12. In apparatus of the character set forth,

i the combination of a base, a table-top thereon, a carriage 'movably supported on said table-top, and a slide, adapted to have plates .applied thereto, telescoping' with said carriage.

13. In apparatus of the character set forth,

the combination of a base, a table-top thereon, a carriage movably supportedon said table-top, means forshifting said carriage, and a slide, adapted to have' plates applied thereto, telescoping With said carriage. V,

14. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination of a base, aftabletop thereon, table-top and a` slide adapted'to have plates applied thereto carried by said carriage.

15, In apparatus of the character set forth, the ycombination of 'a base, va table-top there'- on, a carriage `movably supported on ysaid table-top at opposite/sides of the latter, and a plate-holding slide carried Aby 'said carriage.

' 16. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination of a base, a table-top thereon, a carriage movably supported on said table-top, and a' slide formed 'of hingedly connected sections and adapted .to havel plates applied thereto carried -'b y said carriage.

17. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination of a base, a table-top therejon, a carriage inA the-form'of a, frame teleand guided on,.a carriage movably supported on said.

table-top, a plate-supporting slide carried by said carriage, and adjustable clip-dejvices carried by said slide for securing plates thereto.

' tudi-nally extending a carriage mova'bly supported on said l -on said carrier may be 19. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination-of a base, a table-top, a carriage movable thereon, a slide carried by said carriage and adapted to have a plate applied to a side thereof, and means for holding the plate in position on said slide.

20. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination With a table, of a reversible member mounted on said table' to extend above thev same, and means on said member for holding a plate in position beneath said member. v

21. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination. of a table having a longigude at one side, a block engaging said lengthwise thereof, an adjustable onv said block, a head pivotally mounted on said upright, a rod longitudinally adjustable on said head, and a plate- Aholding'member pivotally supported on said rod. Y

22. In apparatus of thefcharacter set forth, the combination of a base, a plate-carrier movably supported thereon,w a series of rectangular guide-marks on the portion of said carrier superposed by the plate, .and having a common center, and a second series of rectangular guide-marks having a common center on said portion of said carrier,

said second series of guide-marks being dis-y I, the center of the,plate When the latter is positioned on said member, for indicating vto the operator the location of the center of the plate.

24. Inf apparatus of the character set forth, the combination With a table the top of which has a section of material transparent to X rays and carries a mark forming a guide in the positioning of the patient on the table, a carrier for an Xray plate mounted to be moved beneath said trans-- parent -section to -move a plate thereon into registrationtherewith, means for centering plates of different sizes on said carrier relative to.a predetermined point thereon, and means whereby ,the said predetermined point caused to be moved into registration with the said marking on said transparent section of the table-top.

25. forth, the combination with a table the top of which has asection of material transparent to X 'rays and carries a mark forming a guide in the positioning of thepatient on the table, a carrier for X ray plates to support the plates at different points along guide and adjustable upright verticalljT In apparatus of the character set .i

I f l l the carrier, sald carrier being mounted to be` moved beneath said transparent section,

with the said marking on said transparent section.

26. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination with a table having a top, a section of which is of a materialv transparent to X rays, of a carrier mounted to be movedbeneath and in a plane substantially parallel with the plane of'said transparentv section and adapted to support a plurality of X ray plates applied thereto at different points alongits length, means on said carrier for centering X ray plates of different sizes relativeto a plurality of predetermined points on said carrier, means cooperating with said carrier and operating in ythe shifting of said carrier to insure registration of said predetermined points on'the carrier, in the successive loperations of the latter, with a given point on said transparent section, and means on said transparent section for indicating to the operator the point thereon with which the centers of the X ray plates register in-the successive operations of the carrier.

27. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination with a table having -a top, 'of a member supported on the table and adjustable about a substantially vertical/axis, a reversible member mounted on said firstnamed member to extend above the table-top, and means on said last named member for holding a plate in position beneath the i latter.

28. In apparatus of f the character set forth, thc combination with a table having a top,'of a member supported on the table and adjustable about a substantiallywerti# axis, a second member supported on said' first-named lmember and adjustable about an `axis at an angle to the axis of said firstnamed member and adjustable lengthwise of said. first-named member, a reversible member mounted on said third member to extend above the table-top, and means on said reversible member for holding a plate in position beneath the latter.

30. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination with a table having a top, of a member supported on the table and adjustable' about a substantially vertical axis, a second member supported on said rst-named member and adjustable about an axis at an angle to the axis of said rstnamed member land. adjustable lengthwise of said first-named member, and a third member reversible on said second member about an axis extending at an angleto the axes of both said first and second-named members,

of the table.

JULIUS B. WANTZ.

j. said third member extending above the top 'A 

